Systems and methods for training firefighters

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for training firefighters and other first responders are provided. The systems include a plurality of sensors configured to detect at least one ambient condition, such as, temperature; a receiver configured to receive the electric signals from the plurality of sensors; and a digital storage device operatively connected to the receiver and adapted to store the electrical signals corresponding to the detected ambient conditions. The data detected by the sensors can be retrieved for later review, analysis, and training. The systems may include at least one video recorder and/or at least one infrared image recorder each configured to detect images that can be stored for later retrieval and a synchronizing device adapted to synchronize the sensor data with the recorded images for later review. Methods of implementing the systems and portable cases enclosing the system are also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application62/655,729, filed on Apr. 10, 2018, and to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication 62/732,465, filed on Sep. 17, 2018, the disclosures of whichare included by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to firefighter monitoring ortraining systems and methods. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to firefighter monitoring or training systems and methods whereambient conditions, for example, temperature, infrared images within astructure and videos, for example, of external videos of structures andfirefighter technique are detected and processed to provide evaluation,guidance, and training in effective firefighter practices.

Description of Related Art

It is generally understood in the firefighting art that the number ofstructure fires is declining while the “modern fire environment” (thatis, lightweight building construction, more air-tight buildingconstruction, and energy-rich building materials, furnishings, andfinishings) mean that fires burn hotter and faster than in the past.This higher complexity fire environment, combined with present trends offewer actual fires, means that firefighters must learn less from“on-the-job” experience and more from training, or “trainingevolutions,” as known in the art.

There are a number of types of facilities used for firefighter training,ranging from acquired structures (that is, burning down an actualbuilding) to purpose-built concrete structures in which class A firesmay be lit and extinguished, to buildings with sophisticated gas-fueledprops to simulate live-fire conditions.

In facilities where a manufactured system or product creates a fire(class B—flammable gas driven fires, or class A/B hybrid systems) and,occasionally, in class A systems, sensor networks may be installed tocontrol the fire apparatus and/or to alarm when unsafe or potentiallyunsafe conditions arise. These sensor networks are typically integratedinto the live-fire control systems and are building-specific, forexample, with fixed locations of sensors.

As firefighters become more educated on fire dynamics, fire behavior,and fire science, there is an increased emphasis in the field onmeasuring fire conditions and understanding how firefighting tacticsaffect fire conditions. For example, in ventilation-limited fires, iffire crews open a door to the fire room and allow air to reach the fire,the temperature of the fire is likely to increase as the fire grows.

There is also greater understanding in the field due to researchrecently conducted on how conditions relate to victim tenability andsurvivability (for example, as expressed as, “fractional effectivedose”).

Outside of simple temperature monitoring thermocouple readers, there areno systems in the firefighting field that can log and display data fromsensors inside of training evolutions, and related situations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention address the disadvantages andshortcomings in the field of firefighter training. Aspects of theinvention provide systems that have the capability of taking a number ofsensor inputs, hard-wired or wireless, and displaying the data forviewing by, for example, firefighter trainers and trainees. This data,for example, temperature data, can be displayed on “layers” overlaid ona building map or floor plan.

Aspects of the invention can display raw data, such as temperature,interpolate data between data points, and visually display the data (forexample, temperature in a “heat map”). In some aspects, the data can bedisplayed as overlay layers of graphic data. In other aspects, victimtenability and/or victim survivability zones can be calculated byanalyzing multiple streams of data and enclosure dimensions, among otherinputs.

Aspects of the invention can provide video recording of firefightertraining exercises, or actual live firefighter performance, and, in oneaspect, coordinate the video recordings with the sensor data recordingsto provide synchronized and substantially complete documentation of bothfirefighter training and fire characteristics and dynamics for futurereview and evaluation.

One embodiment of the invention is a system for training firefighters,the system comprising or including a plurality of sensors configured todetect at least one ambient condition, such as, temperature, each of thesensors adapted to generate an electrical signal corresponding to thedetected ambient condition; a receiver configured to receive theelectric signals from the plurality of sensors; and a digital storagedevice operatively connected to the receiver and adapted to store theelectrical signals. In one aspect of the invention, the at least oneambient condition may comprise temperature, humidity, chemicalconcentration, explosion limits, or presence of personnel, among others.

In one aspect, the system may further include a processor configured toreceive the electrical signals from the receiver, physical conditions ofan enclosure where the plurality of sensors are positioned, andpositions of the plurality of sensors, and using the electrical signals,the physical conditions of the enclosure and the positions, calculatevariations in the at least one ambient condition between the positions.In one aspect, the processor may further calculate victim tenabilityand/or victim survivability.

Another embodiment of the invention is a method for trainingfirefighters, the method comprising or including: with a plurality ofsensors, detecting at least one ambient condition and generating anelectrical signal corresponding to the detected ambient condition;transmitting the electrical signal to a receiver; and storing theelectrical signals. In one aspect, the method may further include, withat least one processor, calculating variations in the at least oneambient condition for each of the plurality of sensors. In one aspect,the processor may calculate victim tenability and/or victimsurvivability.

In one aspect, the step of detecting at least one ambient condition maybe practiced by detecting the at least one ambient condition in anenclosure, for example, in a firefighter training structure.

In one aspect, the method may further comprise wirelessly transmittingthe electrical signal corresponding to the detected ambient condition tothe receiver.

In one aspect, the method may further comprise displaying the detectedambient conditions.

In one aspect, the method may further include comparing the detectedambient condition to a threshold ambient condition, and, when thethreshold ambient condition is approached or exceeded, advising theuser, for example, with a visual or audible signal or alarm.

In one aspect, the method and systems disclosed herein may be adapted todetermine a performance score, for example, a firefighting effectivenessscore, for a trainee or team of trainees. In another aspect, aperformance score of one trainee or team of trainees may be compared tothe performance score of another trainee or team of trainees to comparethe performance between the two trainees or team of trainees.

Another embodiment of the invention is a portable firefighter trainingsystem comprising a case, for example, a clamshell case, and any one ofthe systems recited above positioned in the case.

Another embodiment of the invention is a system for monitoringfirefighters, for example, training firefighters, the system comprisingor including: a plurality of sensors configured to detect at least oneambient condition, each of the sensors adapted to generate an electricalsignal corresponding to the detected ambient condition; at least onevideo recorder configured to detect substantially continuous videoimages, the video recorder adapted to generate electrical signalscorresponding to the detected video images; at least one receiverconfigured to receive the electric signals from the plurality of sensorsand the electrical signals from the at least one video recorder; and adigital storage device operatively connected to the receiver and adaptedto store electric signals from the plurality of sensors and theelectrical signals from the at least one video recorder.

In one aspect, the system further comprises a synchronizing device orsynchronizer adapted to synchronize the electric signals from theplurality of sensors with the electrical signals from the at least onevideo recorder. For example, the synchronizer may be an audible signal,a visual signal, or a haptic (that is, motion or vibration) signal.

In one aspect, the at least one video recorder may be a visual lightrecorder and/or an infrared light recorder.

In another aspect, the at least one ambient condition may betemperature, humidity, chemical concentration, explosion limits, orpresence of personnel, among others.

In one aspect, the system may be employed in and about a firefightertraining structure.

Another embodiment of the invention is a method for monitoringfirefighters, for example, training firefighters, the method comprisingor including: with a plurality of sensors, detecting at least oneambient condition and generating an electrical signal corresponding tothe detected ambient condition; recording substantially continuous videoimages with at least one video recorder, the at least one video recorderadapted to generate electrical signals corresponding to the detectedvideo images; transmitting the electrical signal from the plurality ofsensors and the electrical signals from the at least one video recorderto a receiver; and storing the electrical signal from the plurality ofsensors and the electrical signals from the at least one video recorder.In one aspect, the stored signals may be retrieved and reviewed fortraining purposes.

In one aspect, the method may further include synchronizing the electricsignals from the plurality of sensors with the electrical signals fromthe at least one video recorder. For example, in one aspect, thesynchronizing is practiced with an audible signal, a visual signal,and/or a haptic signal.

In one aspect, the recording substantially continuous video images maybe practiced by recording visual images and/or recording infraredimages.

In another aspect, the method may further include displaying images ofthe electrical signal corresponding to the detected ambient conditionand images of the recorded substantially continuous video images, forexample, on a single display.

A further embodiment of the invention is a portable firefightermonitoring system, for example, firefighter training system, comprisinga case, and any one of the systems recited above positioned in the case.

According to aspect of the invention, systems and methods are providedthat can be used for monitoring personnel performance; monitoring safetyor danger of an incidence of fire, gas leak, or chemical spill;monitoring or evaluating the presence of fuel during fire, gas leak, orchemical spill; monitoring or evaluating building characteristics; andconducting experiments.

These and other aspects, features, and advantages of this invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description of the variousaspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularlypointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion ofthe specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, andadvantages of the invention will be readily understood from thefollowing detailed description of aspects of the invention taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for training firefighters andother personnel according to one aspect of the invention.

FIGS. 2 through 5 are floor plan diagrams of user input according to oneaspect of the invention.

FIGS. 6 through 9 are floor plan diagrams of system output based uponthe user input provided in FIGS. 2 through 5 according to one aspect ofthe invention.

FIG. 10 is a building floor plan representing user input according toone aspect of the invention.

FIGS. 11 through 18 are screen shots of a user interface that may beused for user input and system output according to one aspect of theinvention.

FIGS. 19 through 22 are screen shots of system output according to oneaspect of the invention.

FIG. 23 is a graphical display of the output data provided by one aspectof the invention.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a portable case containing a systemaccording to one aspect of the invention.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of wire inputs from sensors to the systemin the portable case shown in FIG. 24 according to an aspect of theinvention.

FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram of a system for monitoring or trainingfirefighters and other personnel according to one aspect of theinvention.

FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram of a building floor plan for sensor dataand image capture according to one aspect of the invention.

FIGS. 28 through 31 are screen shots of system output according to oneaspect of the invention.

FIG. 32 is a screen shot of system output having multiple imagesaccording to one aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following discussion, embodiments and aspects of the inventionmay be described with respect to their application to firefighter orfirst responder monitoring and/or training. However, as describedherein, aspects of the present invention are not limited to firefightertraining, but may be adapted for use in a broad range of applicationsand uses. For example, aspects of the present invention may be used formonitoring personnel performance (for example, firefighter performance);for monitoring the safety or danger of an incidence of fire, a gas leak,and/or a chemical spill; for monitoring or evaluating the presence of“fuel” during fire, gas leak and/or chemical spill; for monitoring orevaluating building characteristics (such as, structural integrityand/or potential for collapse); and/or to conduct experiments (forexample, on new firefighting techniques or new firefighting equipment).Accordingly, the following disclosure should be viewed in the context ofall these applications of aspects of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system 10 for monitoring and/ortraining firefighters according to one aspect of the invention. As shownin FIG. 1, system 10 includes a plurality 12 of sensors 14, each of thesensors 14 configured to detect an ambient condition, such as,temperature, and output a signal 16 corresponding to the detectedambient conditions. Signal 16 may be a wired or wireless signal.According to aspects of the invention, system 10 includes one or moresensor receivers 20 adapted to receive signals 16 (wired and/orwireless) and then transmit (wired and/or wirelessly) one or moresignals 22 corresponding to the detected ambient conditions to one ormore processors 24. In addition, in one aspect, system 10 may alsoinclude one or more video recorders (not shown in FIG. 1), for example,a still and/or video camera, and/or one or more infrared recorders, forexample, an infrared or thermal camera or infrared or thermal videoimage detector (as shown in FIGS. 26 through 32). According to aspectsof the invention, 3 or more, 4 or more, or 10 or more video recordersand/or infrared recorders may be provided.

In the following discussion, in describing aspects of the invention, forthe sake of ease of illustration, the ambient condition detected bysensors 14 may be referred to as “temperature,” and sensors 14 may bereferred to as “temperature sensors.” However, it is envisioned thataspects of the invention are not limited to the sensing of temperaturebut may comprise one or more of a broad range of conditions,characteristics, and features of the environment and/or the atmosphere,for example, within an enclosure. These conditions include, but are notlimited to, temperature, humidity, chemical concentration, explosionlimits, oxygen (O₂) concentration, carbon monoxide (CO) concentration,carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration, percent of “lower explosion limit”(% LEL), percent of “upper explosion limit” (% UEL), presence orconcentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), hydrogen cyanide(HCN) presence or concentration, heat flux, the presence of personnel(for example, victims), the presence of firefighting personnel, theproximity of personnel (for example, of a firefighter or first responderto a victim), personnel location (for example, of a firefighter or firstresponder), the presence of a victim “dummy” (for example, duringtraining exercises), the location of a victim dummy, the evidence ofwater application (for example, from firefighting hose lines), gasvelocities (for example, air velocity and/or smoke velocity), thepresence or concentration of particulates in the air (for example, ofnanoparticle particulates). These and other ambient conditions can bedetected and, for example, displayed, according to aspects of thepresent invention. Other conditions, characteristics, and features thatmay be detected by sensors 14 will be apparent to those of skill in thisart, for example, professional firefighters.

System 10 includes a user interface 26 configured to receive user input28, for example, sensor location, start/stop scenario, record scenario,the identification or marking of key milestones and/or events during theevolution or training exercise, to change views, and to create floorplans and building layouts, among other user inputs. User interface 26may be a keypad, a keyboard, a stylus controlled screen, a touch screen,a voice-activated device, or any other device configured to receiveinput from a user. User interface 26 may be adapted to receive inputfrom a local and/or a remote user (wired and/or wirelessly), forexample, a user accessing system 10 via a network, for instance, overthe Internet or over a local wireless network. User interface 26 maytypically be configured to communicate (wired and/or wirelessly) withprocessor 24 via connection 27, for example, to transfer electricalsignals corresponding to the user input to processor 24.

System 10 in FIG. 1 may also include a power supply 30 adapted toprovide electrical power to the components of system 10, among otherdevices. Power supply 30 may be powered by connection 32 by power fromthe grid, from a local power source (for example, solar power, windpower, or fuel cell power), or may include one or more batteries, forexample, rechargeable batteries.

System 10 in may also include one or more output devices 34, forexample, a transmitter adapted to receive (wired and/or wirelessly)electrical signals 36 from processor 24 and transmit signalscorresponding to the signals received, for example, by wire 38 and/orwirelessly 40 to a local or remote receiver (not shown).

In one aspect, system 10 may include one or more displays 42 adapted toreceive electrical signals 44 from output device 34 and display datacorresponding to the received signals, for example, one of more ambientconditions detected by the sensors 14, one or more videos recorded byvideo and/or infrared recorder, and/or data produced from ambientconditions detected by sensors 14 by processor 24. The device 42 mayalso be a printer.

In one aspect, system 10 may include one or more digital storage devices46 adapted to communicate with processor 24 (wired or wirelessly) viaconnection 48. The storage device 42 may be conventional digital storagedevice.

The one or more processors or central processing units (CPUs) 24, forexample, a computer processor, typically includes one or more memorydevices containing software 25 configured to manipulate the data streamsfrom sensors 14 and the data streams from user interface 26 and generatedata of use to, for example, the user. Software 25 is typicallyexecutable on processor 24 and software 25 may be adapted to accessstorage device 46. For example, software 25 may typically be adapted tointroduce information to, extract information from, and/or otherwisemanipulate data on storage device 46, for instance, images recorded byvideo and or infrared recorders (not shown in FIG. 1).

As also shown in FIG. 1, system 10 may be provided in an enclosure,cabinet, or case 49, for example, a portable case where system 10 can beconveniently transported to, for example, a firefighter-training site orfacility. (See FIGS. 23 and 24 for one example of an enclosure accordingto an aspect of the invention.) In another aspect, system 10 may not bereadily portable, but may be substantially permanently installed at afirefighter-training site or facility.

FIGS. 2 through 5 are floor plan diagrams of user input according to oneaspect of the invention. FIG. 2 is an example of an enclosure floor plan50, for example, defined by user input, presented to the user for inputof enclosure information according to one aspect of the invention. Floorplan 50 may be an actual floor plan upon which firefighter training isbeing implemented, or a model of a floor plan. For example, floor plan50 may be a basic outline of the square footage of the floor plan or oneof the floor plans of the structure, building, or facility into whichsensors will be placed according to one aspect of the invention. Userinput may also include height of the ceiling of floor plan 50, type ofconstruction of floor plan 50, and material of construction of floorplan 50.

FIG. 3 is an example of the enclosure floor plan 50 shown in FIG. 2after a user has defined the structures within the floor plan 50, forexample, walls 52, and openings 54. User input may also include materialof construction of walls 52 and dimensions of openings 54, among otherthings.

FIG. 4 is an example of the enclosure floor plan 50 shown in FIG. 3after a user has located sensors 56 within the floor plan 50, forexample, where actual sensors 56 were located within an existingphysical structure having the floor plan 50. User input may also includethe type of sensor, the manufacture of the sensor, and the elevation ofthe sensor, for example, the elevation above the floor of floor plan 50.Sensors 56 may be temperature sensors, humidity sensors, chemicalconcentration sensors, personnel sensors, or any sensor configured todetect one or more of the conditions listed herein, among other types ofsensors. Though not shown in FIG. 4, sensors 56 may communicate with areceiver, for example, receiver 20 in FIG. 1, by wire and/or wirelessly.

FIG. 5 is an example of the enclosure floor plan 50 shown in FIG. 4after a user has located one or more sources of fire 58 within the floorplan 50. User input may also include the type of fire 58, the type offuel feeding fire 58, the temperature of the fire, and/or the elevationof the fire, for example, the elevation above the floor of floor plan50.

FIGS. 6 through 9 are floor plan diagrams of system output based uponthe user input provided in FIGS. 2 through 5 according to one aspect ofthe invention. FIGS. 6 through 8 represent typical temperature gradients60 that may be detected by sensors 56 as the fire 58 propagates throughfloor plan 50 and displayed to the user, for example, a firefightertrainee.

FIG. 9 represents typical temperature gradients 60 that may be detectedby sensors 56 as the fire 58 propagates through floor plan 50 and isfurther affected by the introducing of one or more drafts 62, forexample, of outside air, into floor plan 50.

FIG. 10 is a building floor plan 70 representing user input according toone aspect of the invention. According to aspects of the invention,building floor plan 70 may include one or more sensors 72 and one ormore sources of fire 74, for example, identified by a user. According toaspects of the invention, buildings or structures having two or morefloors may be used for aspects of the invention, for example,firefighter training. Though first floor 76, second floor 78, and attic80 are shown in FIG. 10, building floor plan 70 may comprise anyconceivable structure or facility, home or residence, office or factory,which may be used for firefighter training and/or evaluation. In oneaspect, sensors 72 may be located within an actual physical structure70. In another aspect, a model of structure 70 may be created, forexample, a “virtual” model, and sensors 72 may be located within themodel. In one aspect of the invention, aspects of the invention may beapplied to scale model structures, for example, “doll house” typestructures, that can be used for training to illustrate fire propagationthat may occur in full-scale structures. For example, in one aspect,sensors 72 may be located within a physical scale model structure. Inanother aspect, models of scale models, for example, a “virtual” scalemodel, may be created and sensors 72 may be located within the scalemodel.

In addition to the floor plan displays and analyses, for example, asshown in FIGS. 15 through 22, and the three-dimensional structuredisplay and analysis shown in FIG. 10, in one aspect of the invention,elevation views for structures may also be displayed and analyzed. Forexample, in one aspect, a front elevation view or an internal elevationview, for instance, through a cross section of a structure may bedisplayed and analyzed. In one aspect, similar to the user input shownin FIGS. 2 through 5, an elevation view of a structure with one or morefloors may be displayed and the walls and sensors located by user input.Accordingly, in a fashion similar to that shown in FIGS. 19 through 23,elevation views of results of the analysis may be provided. For example,an elevation view of a structure may be provided showing the verticalpropagation of a fire, a gas leak, or a volatile chemical spill.

FIGS. 11 through 18 are screen shots of a user interface that may beused for user input according to one aspect of the invention. FIG. 11 isa screen shot 90 of a display presented to a user, for example, to atrainer or training facilitator, according to one aspect of theinvention. As shown in FIG. 11, screen shot 90 includes fields for userinput for creation of a new floor plan, or “map”, in field 92; theselection of an existing or previously defined floor plan, or “map”, indrop down menu 94; and the selection of temperature scale, that is,Celsius or Fahrenheit, with radio buttons 96. Other data that may beinput by a user in fields or radio buttons in screen shot 90 include,but are not limited to, the name of the user, the name of the facility,the location of the facility, the number of floors in the facility orstructure, the square footage of each floor, the ambient temperature,the ambient wind speed and direction, and the time of day and date ofthe training procedure.

FIG. 12 is a screen shot 100 of a display presented to a user accordingto one aspect of the invention. As shown in FIG. 12, screen shot 100presents a grid 102 to the user for defining the desired floor plan, forexample, based upon the information presented in screen shot 90 shown inFIG. 11, for example, floor plan square footage.

FIG. 13 is a screen shot 110 of a display presented to a user accordingto one aspect of the invention. As shown in FIG. 13, screen shot nopresents the grid 102 shown in FIG. 12 and the user defined locations ofsensors 112 on floor plan grid 102. According to aspects of theinvention, the locations of sensors 112 may be provided by anyconvenient method, including touch screen, stylus, cursor, and/or apredefined data file.

FIG. 14 is a screen shot 120 presenting the grid 102 shown in FIGS. 12and 13 and further user defined locations of sensors 112 on floor plangrid 102. According to aspects of the invention, the locations ofsensors 112 may be provided by any convenient method, including touchscreen, stylus, cursor, and/or a predefined data file. Other data thatmay be input by a user in fields or radio buttons in screen shots 110and 120 of FIGS. 13 and 14, respectively, include, but are not limitedto, type of sensor 112 and elevation of sensor 112 off of the floor. Thesquare structure 114 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 represents a vertical ductor heating plenum that may be present, and, in this example, a sensor112 is located within the duct.

FIGS. 15 through 17 are screen shots 130, 140, and 150, respectively, ofa user interface that may be used for user input according to one aspectof the invention for progressively inputting the locations of walls 132within grid 102 shown in FIG. 14. As shown in FIGS. 15 through 17, userinput may typically include one or more locations of a hazard 134, suchas, a source of fire, flame, heat, chemical spill, and/or smoke, amongother hazards, and its characteristics, the propagation of whichprovides the basis for the analysis being performed. According toaspects of the invention, the locations of walls 132 and hazards 134 maybe provided by any convenient method, including touch screen, stylus,cursor, and/or a predefined data file.

FIG. 18 is a screen shot 160 of a display presented to a user similar toscreen shot shown in FIG. 11 according to one aspect of the invention.As shown in FIG. 18, screen shot 160 includes a drop down menu 162 forthe user to select the type of analysis to be performed on the ambientcondition data collected by sensors 112. The type of analysis that maybe selected by the user includes, but is not limited to, instantaneousambient conditions detected by the sensors 112, for example,temperature; the time variation in an ambient condition detected; acondition gradient analysis, for example, an oxygen or CO gradientanalysis; a chemical concentration analysis, for example, a VOCconcentration analysis; and/or a personnel location analysis, amongothers.

FIGS. 19 through 22 are screen shots 170, 180, 190, and 200,respectively, of progressive system 10 outputs displayed according toone aspect of the invention, as the system processes the data detectedand manipulated. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, aspects of theinvention may display the condition 172 detected by each sensor 112, forexample, a temperature, and display the calculated variation or gradient174 of the condition between sensors 112, for example, as interpolatedfrom the data collected by the sensors 112 and building factors, suchas, the R-value of walls, the type of building construction,obstructions in compartments, openings in compartments, the presence andlocation of sprinklers, and stairwell location and size, among otherfactors. As also shown in FIG. 19, in one aspect, a legend 176 may beprovided to associate the value of the condition displayed, for example,by color as shown, though other visual indicia may be provided.

FIG. 23 are a screen shot 210 of the results of one analysis of thedetection and manipulation of the ambient condition data detected asprogressively displayed in FIGS. 19 through 22. As shown in FIG. 23, theresults displayed by aspects of the invention may include, the condition212 detected by each sensor 112, for example, temperature, thecalculated variation or gradient 214 of the condition between sensors112, and legend 216 associating the value of the condition displayed.

According to aspects of the invention, system 10 may display “raw data,”that is, data reflective of the condition detected, such as,temperature, or interpolate data between detected data points, andvisually display the data (for example, temperature as a “heat map”)overlaid on a building map or floor plan. Among other data that may bedisplayed include calculated victim tenability, victim survivabilityzones, for example, generated by analyzing multiple streams of detecteddata, building geometry, and wall layout, among other things.

According to one aspect of the invention, the two or more ambientconditions detected and/or computed by aspects of the invention may bedisplayed individually or collectively, for example, data may bedisplayed as “layers” on an output display with one or more sets of data“layered” or “overlaid” on a building map or floor plan.

In one aspect, the data collected and/or manipulated may be recorded orstored for future analysis and/or playback.

In one aspect, the invention may identify or mark key events that takeplace during training. For example, for future display and training.

In one aspect, the system and method of the invention may includetransmitting data collected and/or manipulated to offsite networksand/or servers, for example, via the Internet, for further processing,analysis, review, and/or training.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of portable case 220, for example, a“clamshell” case, containing a system 10 according to one aspect of theinvention. FIG. 25 is a perspective view of wire inputs 222 from sensorsto the receiver in system 10 in the portable case 220 shown in FIG. 24according to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram of a system 310 for monitoring ortraining firefighters, first responders, or others according to anotheraspect of the invention. As shown in FIG. 26, system 310 includes aplurality 312 of sensors 314, each of the sensors 314 configured todetect an ambient condition, such as, temperature, and output a signal316 corresponding to the detected ambient conditions. Signal 316 may bea wired or wireless signal. According to aspects of the invention,system 310 includes one or more sensor receivers 320 adapted to receivesignals 316 (wired and/or wireless) and then transmit (wired and/orwirelessly) one or more signals 322 corresponding to the detectedambient conditions to one or more processors 324. In addition, in oneaspect, system 310 may also include one or more video recorders 315, forexample, a still and/or video camera, and/or one or more infraredrecorders 317, for example, an infrared or thermal camera or infrared orthermal video image detector. According to aspects of the invention, 3or more, 4 or more, or 10 or more video recorders 315 and/or infraredrecorders 317 may be provided.

In the following discussion, in describing aspects of the invention, forthe sake of ease of illustration, the ambient condition detected bysensors 314 may be referred to as “temperature,” and sensors 314 may bereferred to as “temperature sensors.” However, it is envisioned thataspects of the invention are not limited to the sensing of temperature,but may comprise sensors adapted to detect one or more of a broad rangeof conditions, characteristics, and features of the environment and/orthe atmosphere, for example, within an enclosure. These conditionsinclude, but are not limited to, oxygen (O₂) concentration, carbonmonoxide (CO) concentration, carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration, percentof “lower explosion limit” (% LEL), percent of “upper explosion limit”(% UEL), presence or concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs),hydrogen cyanide (HCN) presence or concentration, heat flux, thepresence of personnel (for example, victims), the presence offirefighting personnel, the proximity of personnel (for example, of afirefighter or first responder to a victim), personnel location (forexample, of a firefighter or first responder), the presence of a victim“dummy” (for example, during training exercises), the location of avictim dummy, the evidence of water application (for example, fromfirefighting hose lines), gas velocities (for example, air velocityand/or smoke velocity), the presence or concentration of particulates inthe air (for example, of nanoparticle particulates). These and otherambient conditions can be detected and, for example, displayed,according to aspects of the present invention. Other conditions,characteristics, and features that may be detected by sensors 314 willbe apparent to those of skill in this art, for example, professionalfirefighters.

System 310 also includes a user interface 326 configured to receive userinput 328, for example, sensor location, start/stop scenario, recordscenario, the identification or marking of key milestones and/or eventsduring the evolution or training exercise, to change views, and tocreate floor plans, among other user inputs. User interface 326 may be akeypad, a keyboard, a stylus controlled screen, a touch screen, avoice-activated device, or any other device configured to receive inputfrom a user. User interface 326 may be adapted to receive input from alocal and/or a remote user (wired and/or wirelessly), for example, auser accessing system 310 via a network, for instance, over the Internetand/or a local network. User interface 326 may typically be configuredto communicate (wired and/or wirelessly) with processor 324 viaconnection 327, for example, to transfer electrical signalscorresponding to the user input to processor 324.

System 310 in FIG. 26 may also include a power supply 330 adapted toprovide electrical power to the components of system 310. Power supply330 may be powered by connection 332 by power from the grid, from alocal power source (for example, solar power, wind power, or fuel cellpower), or may include one or more batteries, for example, rechargeablebatteries.

System 310 may also include one or more output devices 334, for example,a transmitter adapted to receive (wired and/or wirelessly) electricalsignals 336 from processor 324 and transmit signals corresponding to thesignals received, for example, by wire 338 and/or wirelessly 340 to alocal or remote receiver (not shown).

In one aspect, system 310 may include one or more displays 342 adaptedto receive electrical signals 344 from output device 334 and displaydata corresponding to the received signals, for example, one of moreambient conditions detected by the sensors 314, one or more videosrecorded by recorder 315 and/or recorder 317, and or data produced fromambient conditions detected by sensors 314 by processor 324. The device342 may also be a printer.

In one aspect, system 310 may include one or more digital storagedevices 346 adapted to communicate with processor 324 (wired orwirelessly) via connection 348. The storage device 346 may be aconventional digital storage device.

The one or more processors or central processing units (CPUs) 324, forexample, a computer processor, typically includes one or more memorydevices containing software 325 configured to manipulate the datastreams from sensors 314 and the data streams from user interface 326and generate data of use to, for example, the user. Software 325 istypically executable on processor 324 and software 325 may be adapted toaccess storage device 346. For example, software 325 may typically beadapted to introduce information to, extract information from, and/orotherwise manipulate data on storage device 346; for instance, imagesrecorded by recorders 315 and/or 317.

As also shown in FIG. 26, system 310 may be provided in an enclosure,cabinet, or case 349, for example, a portable case where system 310 canbe conveniently transported to, for example, a firefighter-training siteor facility. In another aspect, system 310 may not be readily portable,but may be substantially permanently installed at a firefighter-trainingsite or facility.

Video recorder 315 may be any electronic device adapted to record visualvideo images, for example, images in the visual electromagneticspectrum. Video recorder 315 may be a video camera, as known in the art.Video recorder 315 may also be an image-capturing device, for example, acamera, such as, a digital camera, an analog or film-based camera, avideo camera, a television camera; a mobile device or phone; or acomputer, such as, a handheld computer, a tablet computer (for example,an Apple iPad™ tablet computer), or a laptop computer; among otherdevices. Video recorder 315 may typically include some form of imagestorage capacity, that is, some means for storing the captured images,for example, on digital storage media, such as, a hard disk drive, flashmemory, compact disk (CD), optical disc, such as, digital video disk(DVD), and the like; or film.

As shown in FIG. 26, video recorder 315 may typically be configured tocommunicate (wired and/or wirelessly) with processor 324 via connection319, for example, to transfer electrical signals corresponding to thecaptured images to processor 324.

Infrared recorder 317 shown in FIG. 26 may be any electronic deviceadapted to record infrared or thermal video images, for example, imagesin the infrared electromagnetic spectrum. Infrared recorder 317 may beadapted to record thermal images reflective of the heat or fire presentin the field of view of infrared recorder 317, such as, within a room ofa structure. Infrared recorder 317 may be an infrared video camera, asknown in the art. Infrared recorder 317 may also be an infraredimage-capturing device, for example, a camera adapted to detect infraredelectromagnetic radiation, such as, an infrared digital camera, ananalog or film-based infrared camera, an infrared video camera, aninfrared television camera; an infrared mobile device or phone; or acomputer, such as, a handheld computer, a tablet computer (for example,an Apple iPad™ tablet computer), or a laptop computer having infrareddetection capability, among other devices. Infrared recorder 317 maytypically include some form of image storage capacity, that is, somemeans for storing the captured infrared images, for example, on digitalstorage media, such as, a hard disk drive, flash memory, compact disk(CD), optical disc, such as, digital video disk (DVD), and the like; orfilm.

As shown in FIG. 26, infrared recorder 317 may typically be configuredto communicate (wired and/or wirelessly) with processor 324 viaconnection 321, for example, to transfer electrical signalscorresponding to the captured infrared images to processor 324.

According to one aspect of the invention, system 310 includes at leastone synchronizing device or “synchronizer” 323. According to thisaspect, synchronizing device 323 may be adapted to emit at least onesignal, for example, an audio, visual signal, and/or an electricalsignal that can be used to synchronize or coordinate the data and imagescaptured by system 310, for example, to facilitate synchronization ofand later review and analysis of the data and images collected.

For example, in one aspect, synchronizing device 323 may emit an audiosignal, such as, an alarm, a siren, a gunshot, a “beep,” or otheraudible indicia. In another aspect, synchronizing device 323 may emit avisual signal, such as, a light or a flag or other visual indicia. Inone aspect, the visual signal may comprise a human gesture, such as, awave, or a human audible signal, such as a shout or word, such as,“start” or “action,” among others. Regardless of the nature of theevent, the signal emitted by synchronizing device 323 may be used tocoordinate the data and images collected such that the time of captureor occurrence of the data and images can be correlated and/or temporallyassociated, for example, for or during later review.

In one aspect, synchronizing device 323 may comprise a signaltransmitter adapted to transmit a synchronizing signal to firefightersand/or to processor 325 and/or to recorder 315 and/or 317. For example,in one aspect, synchronizing device 323 may transmit or “broadcast” asynchronizing signal, for example, an audible signal, to firefighterswearing signal receivers, such as, portable radios or headsets. In oneaspect, the transmitted audible signal may be detectable by recorders315 and/or 317, for instance, detected and recorded with the videoimages detected by recorders 315 and/or 317, and be used for subsequentsynchronization as disclosed herein.

Synchronizing device 323 may typically be configured to communicate(wired and/or wirelessly) with processor 324 via connection 325, forexample, to transfer synchronizing signal of the captured images anddata to processor 324.

In one aspect, the image and data and images may be transmitted to,received by, processed, and/or displayed by one or more externalreceivers 337, for example, a server accessible via the Internet or alocal server. In one aspect, video recorder 315 may communicate withreceiver 337 (wired and/or wirelessly) via connection 329; and/orinfrared recorder 317 may communicate with receiver 337 (wired and/orwirelessly) via connection 331; and/or sensor receiver 320 maycommunicate with receiver 337 (wired and/or wirelessly) via connection333; and/or synchronizer 323 may communicate with receiver 337 (wiredand/or wirelessly) via connection 335.

For example, in one aspect, sensor data received by sensor receiver 320may be transmitted or exported via connection 333, for example, directlyor via a digital storage device, for example, a USB thumb drive or thelike, to external server 337. Similarly, the images from video recorder315 and infrared recorder 317 may be uploaded, directly or via a storagedevice, to external receiver 337 for processing and/or display. Also,the synchronizer signal from video synchronizer 323 may be uploaded,directly or via a storage device, to external receiver 337 forprocessing and display. External receiver 337 may perform the generationand output and/or display of real-time sensor data, data curves, heatmaps, and other output disclosed herein. As disclosed herein, the videoimages and the infrared images may be synchronized with the other datastreams, for example, the sensor data, for display, review and analysis.For example, the synchronized data and images can be displayed andreferenced to a time line (as shown in FIG. 32). If external receiver337 is available over the Internet, local network, or local server, thesynchronized data and videos may be viewed on a website, for example, adedicated website with limited accessibility by the user.

FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram of a building 350 having a data and imagecapture system according to one aspect of the invention. According toaspects of the invention, building 350 may include one or more sensorsor probes 352 and one or more sources of fire 354, for example, a sourceof fire 354 identified and located by a user, and one or more videorecorders 355 and/or infrared recorders 357, as disclosed herein, whichmay be positioned within or outside of building 350. According toaspects of the invention, building 350 or similar structures may havetwo or more floors and be used for aspects of the invention, forexample, for firefighter training. Though a first floor 356, a secondfloor 358, and attic 360 are shown in FIG. 27, building 350 may compriseany conceivable structure or facility, home or residence, office orfactory, which may be used for firefighter training and/or evaluation.In one aspect, sensors 352 and recorders 355 and 357 may be locatedwithin or about an actual physical structure.

In another aspect, a model of structure 350 may be created, for example,a “virtual” model, and sensors 352 and recorders 355 and 357 may belocated within or about the model. In one aspect of the invention,aspects of the invention may be applied to scale model structures, forexample, “doll house” type structures, that can be used for training toillustrate fire propagation that may occur in full-scale structures. Forexample, in one aspect, sensors 352 may be located within a physicalscale model structure and recorders 355 and 357 may be located within orabout a physical scale model structure. In another aspect, models ofscale models, for example, a “virtual” scale model, may be created andsensors 352 and recorders 355 and 357 may be located within or about thescale model.

As shown in FIG. 27, according to an aspect of the invention, asynchronizing device 353 may be provided and adapted to emit a signal361, as disclosed herein. According to aspects of the synchronizingdevice 353 may communicate with a user interface 351 and/or processor353 wirelessly or by wire.

FIG. 27 also identifies a user interface 351 and a processor 353 thatmay be provided, as indicted in the diagram of FIG. 26. For example,user interface 351 may be a handheld interface, such as, tabletcomputer, such as, an Apple® iPad™, a handheld device, such as, an AppleiPhone™, or a laptop computer. In one aspect, the user interface 351 andprocessor 353 may provided in a single device 359, such as, handhelddevice, tablet, or laptop. According to aspects of the invention sensors352, video recorders 355, and/or infrared recorder 357 may communicatewith user interface 351 and processor 353 wirelessly or by wire.

In addition to the displays and analyses shown in FIGS. 28 through 32and the three-dimensional structure display and analysis shown in FIG.27, in one aspect of the invention, elevation views for structures mayalso be displayed and analyzed. For example, in one aspect, a frontelevation view or an internal elevation view, for instance, through across section of a structure may be displayed and analyzed. In oneaspect, similar to the user input shown in FIG. 27, an elevation view ofa structure with one or more floors may be displayed and the walls,sensors 352, and/or recorders 355 and 357 located by user input. Forexample, an elevation view of a structure may be provided showing thevertical propagation of a fire, a gas leak, or a volatile chemicalspill.

FIGS. 28 through 32 are screen shots of system output according to oneaspect of the invention. FIG. 28 presents a typical plot 370 of curvesof the temperatures detected by sensors 352, for example, temperaturesensors, for example, as a function of time. The abscissa 372 of plot370 may be time, for example, in seconds, and the ordinate 374 of plot370 may be temperature, for example, in degrees F. or C. As shown inFIG. 28, plot 370 may include a legend 376 associating each curve with aspecific sensor or probe 352, for example, by color or by line type.

FIG. 29 is a still image 380 of one of the plurality of series of visualimages that may be recorded by one or more video recorders 355 shown inFIG. 27. For example, as shown, image 380 may be one image of a seriesof video images recorded by video recorder 355 of the progress of a firein a house that is being addressed by firefighters.

FIG. 30 is a still infrared image (or a “heat map”) 390 of one of aplurality of series of infrared images that may be recorded by one ormore infrared recorders 357 shown in FIG. 27, for example, locatedwithin a room of structure 350. For example, as shown, image 390 may beone image of a series of infrared images recorded by infrared recorder357 of the progress of a fire in a room of a house or a building. In oneaspect, one or more infrared recorders 357 may be positioned within astructure 350 and/or outside a structure 350.

As shown in FIG. 30, infrared image 390 may include a legend 392associating the displayed representation of the infrared image 390, forexample, the visual color of the image, with the infrared radiationfrequency and the corresponding temperature (degrees F. or C) detectedby the infrared recorder 357. In this example, the higher temperaturesdetected by infrared recorder 357 range from about 300 degrees F. toabout 500 degrees F.

FIG. 31 is a schematic illustration 400 of one output according to oneaspect of the invention. For example, as shown in FIG. 31, an aspect ofthe invention may display the temperature 402, among other conditions,detected by each sensor 352 (see FIG. 27) within a first-floor plan 404and within a second-floor plan 406 of a structure, such as, structure350 shown in FIG. 27. In one aspect, illustration 400 may display acalculated variation or gradient of the temperature between sensors 352,for example, as interpolated from the data collected by the sensors 352and building factors, such as, the R-value of walls, the type ofbuilding construction, obstructions in compartments, openings incompartments, the presence and location of sprinklers, and stairwelllocation and size, among other factors. As also shown in FIG. 31, in oneaspect, the value of the detected temperature 402 may be displayedand/or displayed by an associated indicia, for example, by color asshown, though other visual indicia may be provided. Further aspects ofthe invention associated with FIG. 31 may be found in the previousaspects of the invention disclosed herein.

FIG. 32 is a screen shot of a system output display 410 and userinterface having multiple images according to one aspect of theinvention. As shown in FIG. 32, in one aspect, the images and plotsshown in FIGS. 28 through 31, among other recorded data, images, andinformation, may be displayed to the user in a single display. Forexample, display 410 may include a display of one or more detectedtemperatures 412, one or more recorded video images 114, one or morerecorded infrared images 116, and one or more detected temperatures andtheir locations 118.

As shown in FIG. 32, according to aspects of the invention, the detectedtemperatures in image 412, the recorded video images 414, the recordedinfrared images 416, and detected temperatures 418 may be synchronized,for example, via the sounding of or display of a signal. As shown inFIG. 32, a time display 420 may be provided which is consistent with thesynchronization of the data shown. In one aspect, the time display 420shown in FIG. 32 may be related to, for example, synchronized with, thehorizontal time display shown in image 412, for example, the images 414,416 and 418 may correspond with the time indicated by vertical line 415shown in image 412. For example, in one aspect, one or more icons 422along time display 420 may be provided and accessed by the user. Forexample, icons 422 may identify the time of the common initiation orsynchronizing signal or the time of a significant event. In one aspect,the timing of a significant identified by icons 422 may be the time ofarrival of firefighters at the scene of the fire; the time of firstapplication of water to the fire; the time of the opening or access tothe structure, such as, the forced opening of a doorway or window; andthe time of the penetration of a surface, such as, a wall; among othersalient occurrences during the firefighting process.

According to aspects of the invention, the user interface shown in FIG.32 allows users to “scroll through” the progress or “evolution” of thefirefighting event recorded from start to finish and, for example,observe all data and images together. In addition, one or more of theimages 412, 414, 616, and/or 118 may be selected and enlarged by theuser to review details of the specific data or image, for example, asshown in FIGS. 28 through 31.

As disclosed herein, aspects of the invention include systems andmethods for training firefighters and other first responders, lawenforcement, military personnel, and hazmat personnel, among others, inthe propagation of fire and/or hazardous material in a structure and theconsequences and implications of fire fighting techniques and practices.

According to aspects of the invention, images and data for afirefighting event, for example, a firefighting training event, can becaptured during training events (or during non-training live fireevents), and then compiled and synchronized for later for review andanalysis. For example, a fire department may employ 4 or more videocameras to record four sides of a training building, and use one or moreinfrared thermal imaging cameras to record the thermal characteristicsof one or more interior rooms of the training building, and a series oftemperature sensors in the training building. After the event, the dataand images can be compiled and synchronized so that an instructor can“scroll through” the evolution of the event during a debriefing orcritique of the firefighters. For example, the trainer may identify tothe firefighters who entered a building how the opening of a window byan exterior firefighting crew, as indicated by video images of theactions of the exterior firefighting crew, can increase the temperatureswithin the building, as indicated by the increases in the infraredthermal images and/or in the temperature plots. In addition, aspects ofthe invention can illustrate the effect upon fire temperature, asindicated by interior thermal images and/or temperature plots, offirefighters putting water on a fire, and then show temperaturescorrespondingly decreasing. Aspects of the invention provide these andother benefits and advantages.

Though aspects of the invention may be particularly advantageous for usein training firefighters and/or first responders, other aspects of theinvention may be effective tools for monitoring personnel performance(for example, firefighter performance); for monitoring the safety ordanger of an incidence of fire, gas leak, and/or chemical spill; formonitoring or evaluating the presence of “fuel” during fire, gas leakand/or chemical spill; for monitoring or evaluating buildingcharacteristics (such as, structural integrity and/or potential forcollapse); and/or to conduct experiments (for example, on new firefighting techniques or new firefighting equipment). Other uses ofaspects of the invention will be apparent to those of skill in the art.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that these embodiments and their many aspects have beenpresented by way of example, and not limitation. It will be apparent topersons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form anddetail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention. Moreover, it is to be understood that the variousembodiments of the invention, although different, are not necessarilymutually exclusive. Furthermore, a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described herein in connection with one embodiment may beimplemented within other embodiments without departing from the scope ofthe invention. In addition, it is to be understood that the location orarrangement of individual elements within each disclosed embodiment maybe modified without departing from the scope of the invention. Thedetailed description presented herein, therefore, is not to be taken ina limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined onlyby the appended claims, appropriately interpreted, along with the fullrange of equivalents to which the claims are entitled.

Although the term “at least one” may often be used in the specification,claims and drawings, the terms “a”, “an”, “the”, “said”, etc. alsosignify “at least one” or “the at least one” in the specification,claims and drawings.

While several aspects of the present invention have been described anddepicted herein, alternative aspects may be provided by those skilled inthe art to accomplish the same objectives. Accordingly, it is intendedby the appended claims to cover all such alternative aspects as fallwithin the true spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system for training firefighters, thesystem comprising: a plurality of sensors configured to detect at leastone ambient condition, each of the sensors adapted to generate anelectrical signal corresponding to the detected ambient condition; areceiver configured to receive the electric signals from the pluralityof sensors; a digital storage device operatively connected to thereceiver and adapted to store the electrical signals; a processorconfigured to receive the electrical signals from the receiver, theprocessor configured to use the electrical signals to calculatevariations in the at least one ambient condition; and an output deviceconfigured to transmit at least some of the stored electrical signalsfor review.
 2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at leastone ambient condition comprises at least one of temperature, humidity,chemical concentration, explosion limits, and presence of personnel. 3.The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to receive physical conditions of an enclosure where theplurality of sensors is positioned and further use the physicalconditions of the enclosure to calculate the variations in the at leastone ambient condition.
 4. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein thephysical conditions of the enclosure comprise at least one of R-value ofwalls, type of building construction, obstructions in compartments ofthe enclosure, openings in compartments of the enclosure, the presenceand location of sprinklers, and stairwell location and size.
 5. Thesystem as recited in claim 1, wherein the system further comprises auser interface.
 6. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein the userinterface is adapted to receive a location for each of the plurality ofsensors.
 7. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein the user interfaceis adapted to receive physical conditions of an enclosure where theplurality of sensors are located.
 8. The system as recited in claim 1,the system further comprising: at least one video recorder configured todetect substantially continuous video images, the video recorder adaptedto generate electrical signals corresponding to the detected videoimages.
 9. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the system furthercomprises a display adapted to receive the at least some of theelectrical signals from the output device.
 10. The system as recited inclaim 9, wherein the display is further adapted to display thevariations in the at least one ambient condition.
 11. The system asrecited in claim 9, wherein the variations in the at least one ambientcondition comprise a heat map.
 12. The system as recited in claim 11,wherein the heat map comprises a heat map on one of a building map and afloor plan.
 13. A method for training firefighters, the methodcomprising: with a plurality of sensors, detecting at least one ambientcondition and generating an electrical signal corresponding to thedetected ambient condition; transmitting the electrical signals to areceiver; storing the electrical signals; using a processor configuredto receive the electrical signals from the receiver, calculatingvariations in the at least one ambient condition; and displaying thestored electrical signals for review.
 14. The method as recited in claim13, wherein the at least one ambient condition comprises at least one oftemperature, humidity, chemical concentration, explosion limits, andpresence of personnel.
 15. The method as recited in claim 13, whereindetecting at least one ambient condition comprises detecting the atleast one ambient condition in an enclosure.
 16. The method as recitedin claim 13, wherein the enclosure comprises a firefighter trainingstructure.
 17. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the methodfurther comprises defining physical conditions of an enclosure where theplurality of sensors is located.
 18. The method as recited in claim 13,wherein displaying the stored electrical signals for review comprisesdisplaying the stored electrical signals as the ambient conditions on afloor plan.
 19. The method as recited in claim 13, further comprising:recording substantially continuous video images with at least one videorecorder, the at least one video recorder adapted to generate electricalsignals corresponding to the detected video images.
 20. The method asrecited in claim 19, wherein the method further comprises displayingimages of the electrical signals corresponding to the detected at leastone ambient condition and images of the recorded substantiallycontinuous video images.
 21. The method as recited in claim 13, whereinthe method further comprises displaying the variations in the at leastone ambient condition for review.
 22. The method as recited in claim 21,wherein displaying the variations in the at least one ambient conditioncomprises displaying the variations as a heat map.
 23. The method asrecited in claim 22, wherein displaying the variations in the at leastone ambient condition comprises displaying the variations as a heat mapon one of a building map and a floor plan.
 24. A system for trainingfirefighters, the system comprising: a plurality of sensors configuredto detect at least one ambient condition, each of the sensors adapted togenerate an electrical signal corresponding to the detected ambientcondition; a receiver configured to receive the electric signals fromthe plurality of sensors; a digital storage device operatively connectedto the receiver and adapted to store the electrical signals; at leastone video recorder configured to detect substantially continuous videoimages, the video recorder adapted to generate electrical signalscorresponding to the detected video images; and a synchronizer adaptedto synchronize the electric signals from the plurality of sensors withthe electrical signals from the at least one video recorder.
 25. Thesystem as recited in claim 24, wherein the synchronizer comprises one ofan audible signal, a visual signal, and a haptic signal.
 26. A methodfor training firefighters, the method comprising: with a plurality ofsensors, detecting at least one ambient condition and generating anelectrical signal corresponding to the detected ambient condition;transmitting the electrical signal to a receiver; storing the electricalsignals; recording substantially continuous video images with at leastone video recorder, the at least one video recorder adapted to generateelectrical signals corresponding to the detected video images; andsynchronizing the electric signals from the plurality of sensors withthe electrical signals from the at least one video recorder.